U2’s Bono and The Edge join board of directors at guitar manufacturer Fender

US-based Fender produces some of the world’s most famous guitar models, including the Telecaster and the Stratocaster.

In a statement, The Edge commented that his new role at the guitar company was “something of a kid in a candy store situation for me.” He added that he would be working with the design team on possible new models. “I’ve been a fan of Fender guitars from the beginning, playing them on all the most important U2 tours and albums. But I’m most interested in working with the Fender design team on some new ideas,” he said.

Bono has said that he too will be working on ideas development with the brand, stating: “I’m excited to be part of developing newer technologies with Fender, as well as helping protect the jobs and commitment to excellence of their age-old craft.”

A spokesperson for U2 recently denied that the band have pushed back the release date of their 13th studio album to 2015. Investigations by Billboard suggested that the band would now be releasing their new LP next year. It reported that the band had booked further studio time with producers Paul Epworth and Ryan Tedder, who would join the project’s main producer Danger Mouse.

Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the band flatly denied the claims, saying: “U2’s album is planned for this year (2014), is still on track and touring plans haven’t been confirmed yet.”

Meanwhile, a rare U2 live recording and audio from an interview are set to go up for auction. The recordings come from an early concert from the band, which took place at the Vera venue in Groningen, Holland on October 16, 1980. The live recording is made up of four songs, and the previously unheard interview audio is 15 minutes long and consists of frontman Bono and guitarist The Edge discussing their plans for the band.

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Stockport’s Omega Auctions have said that the interview includes quotes from the pair in which they say: “We don’t like England”. They also show their ambitions for the group, commenting: “U2 wanna be the biggest group in the world.” In addition they add their thoughts on the United States, saying: “America is sick and wounded and has a lot of bad groups”.

The sale takes place on May 30 and the recordings are expected to sell for £1,000. The recordings also come with previously unpublished photos, shown above, which come complete with copyright, as does the interview audio. However, the live recording is being sold as an artefact and is therefore for personal use only.